Swansboro – October 26, 2017
Richard, of Reel Outdoors, reports that surf fishing has stayed steady. Red drum, black drum, pompano, bluefish, and spanish have been the main targets in the suds. Anglers using cut mullet have found action with the red drum and blues, and fresh cut shrimp has worked best for the black drum and pompano.
Early in the morning, using Castmasters from the beach has been the best way to hook up to plenty of spanish action, with some blues in the mix as well. Anglers looking for kings have found a few fish from the end of the pier.
Speckled trout fishing has started to pick up inshore. As water temperatures have fallen, more fish have schooled up in the marsh. Soft plastics on jig heads, as well as live shrimp under popping corks, have been the ticket to hooking limits of specs.
Anglers have also landed quite a few slot-sized red drum in the marsh. Targeting marsh banks and oyster beds with fresh cut mullet and topwater lures has worked best.
A few flounder have been hooked as well (while targeting the reds). Most of the flatfish have fallen for a live finger mullet on a Carolina rig.
Chris White, of Newport, NC, with a 40” king mackerel landed while kayak fishing off Emerald Isle.
Jerry, of Pogie’s Fishing Center, reports that anglers looking for inshore action have found it in the marsh. Red drum and speckled trout have bunched up in good numbers and have been actively feeding. For the trout, targeting deeper holes and areas closer to the inlets has been the best bet. Live shrimp and soft plastics have both worked well.
Most of the red drum have been in the slot, but a few have been over. Live finger mullet and fresh cut mullet on Carolina rigs have worked best.
Just off the beach, the spanish bite remains strong. Most fish have fallen for trolled Clarkspoons, but the larger fish have preferred slow trolled live baits.
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that redfish have scattered out in the marshes and sound. Live shrimp and finger mullet have been the best baits for the reds. A good number of fish have also started to move out to the surf from inshore waters.
Those looking for sheepshead and black drum have done best around dock and oyster structure. Fiddler crabs and live shrimp have been the top baits for these fish.
Speckled trout and flounder have been feeding well in the marshes near the inlets. For the trout, floating live shrimp down grass banks has been the ticket. For the flounder, fishing finger mullet on a Carolina rig has gotten the job done.
Just off the beach, the spanish and false albacore bite has been hot. Kings have also been in the mix. These fish have been holding around nearshore structure, and jigs and live pogies have been the top baits.
Johnathan, of On Point Charters, reports that speckled trout fishing has really picked up with the falling temperatures. Live shrimp, jerk shads, and MirrOlures have all produced limits of fish. Targeting the marsh and the mouth of the river has been the best bet to find good numbers of fish. Most fish have been in the 15-18” range, but a few 20-22” fish have been in the mix as well.
Red drum are still scattered throughout the area. Most anglers have had luck using cut mullet and live finger mullet in the marsh and around dock structure.
Just off the beach, spanish and false albacore are schooled up and feeding well. Casting jigs to busting fish has accounted for most of the fish landed, but trolling spoons will work also.
The king bite on live baits remains steady just off the beach.
Katie McElmon with a false albacore caught trolling a gold and silver mackerel tree near Emerald Isle.
Bobby, of Teezher Charters, reports that anglers looking for kings haven’t had to venture far from the beach. Those that have targeted nearshore structure with live baits have found good numbers of kings in the 25-40 lb. range.
Large spanish (in the 6-8 lb. range) are also in the mix. They have preferred dead cigar minnows.
Bottom fishing remains solid offshore. Anglers have boxed plenty of beeliners, triggerfish, and grouper for the dinner table.
Out at the Gulf Stream, the wahoo bite has been hot. Many anglers have landed fish in the 60-70 lb. range. Anglers looking for billfish have had a few successful blue marlin and sailfish releases, and some dolphin and blackfin tuna have also been in the mix.
Herman, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that king fishing has picked up from the pier. Anglers have landed multiple fish in the 15-40 lb. range.
Bottom fishing has produced good numbers of pompano, sea mullet, and speckled trout (pushing the 5 lb. mark) on fresh shrimp and bloodworms. A few slot-sized red drum have also been landed.
